Sydney Swans star Callum Mills was a great junior rugby talent

CALLUM Mills didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming the next Paul Kelly or Adam Goodes.

Callum Mills in action for the Swans. Picture. Phil Hillyard

CALLUM Mills didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming the next Paul Kelly or Adam Goodes.

The Sydney Swans Rising Star winner wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Wallabies idols, George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock.

Before Mills switched to Aussie Rules at the age of 14 he was on the way to achieving his rugby union dream, winning three consecutive state championships (2008-10) playing for Waringah’s underaged rep team.

His coach in those teams, Clive “Chugger” Nettleton, could see the same things Swans boss John Longmire has observed in his first year in charge of the prodigious 19-year-old: application and a willingness to learn.

Callum Mills playing in the 2008 NSW junior rugby union championships grand final.

“He was always a good listener and if you told him something once he did it,” Nettleton told the Daily Telegraph.

“I tried to get him in the under-14 year and he said he was going the Aussie Rules path. We were very disappointed. It’s nice to see someone who put the work in reap the benefits. He was a good tackler and we think he could have gone on in rugby.”

Just how far Mills would have gone in rugby is obviously hard to predict but Nettleton is certain he would have knocked on the door at the highest level of the game.

“He could have gone a long way in the game but I hesitate to say Wallaby because there are so many other things that come into play,” Nettleton said.

“The way he’s gone in Aussie rules maybe, he certainly would have made it in Super Rugby. To see what he’s done in Aussie rules, he obviously has perseverance and ability. He was a hard worker, good listener. If you have the ability and application and you do it in one sport you can do it in another.”

Callum Mills was a gun junior rugby player.

Mills was in good company in his Warringah rep team just five years ago. Teammate Brad Parker now plays with the Manly Sea Eagles and Simon Kennewell represents Australia in Rugby Sevens.

“It was such a good team and a great bunch of kids,” Nettleton said.

“It was such a strong team whoever players were pitted against were of equal ability, there was never an easy mark. They all keep an eye on each other now. They’re all proud of what each other is achieving, none are jealous that some might be doing better, it’s Callum’s time and good on him.”